Newcastle make record-breaking £34m bid to sign “incredible” Champions League player

Newcastle United have submitted a bid to sign Galatasaray star Wilfried Singo, with the defender in line to become the Turkish side’s record sale.

It has been a difficult summer for Newcastle, as they have been forced to contend with the departures of a number of key players, who have played a major role in the success in recent years, while manager Eddie Howe left at the end of July.

Trippier moved on at the end of his contract, signing for Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the Magpies have already signed Amar Dedic from Benfica as a replacement for the right-back, but Singo remains of interest.

The Ivory Coast international now plays for Galatasaray, making seven Champions League appearances last season, and he earned a move to the Turkish giants off the back of impressing for AS Monaco.

During the 2023-24 season, former teammate Guillermo Maripán said: “In truth, Wilf is having an incredible season. He is helping us a lot. I am very happy to have him.”

Galatasaray were crowned Turkish Super Lig champions last season, but the 25-year-old didn’t exactly play a major role, in light of injury issues, picking up two goals and two assists in 19 league appearances.

However, it would be fair to say the 35-cap Ivory Coast international impressed when afforded the opportunity, averaging 7.6 defensive contributions per 90, the second-highest number in the squad, before going on to make two appearances at the World Cup.

Newcastle make offer for Wilfried Singo

According to a report from Sabah (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have now submitted a ‘record-breaking’ bid for Singo, with €40m (£34m) on the table, meaning he could surpass Sacha Boey as Galatasaray’s record sale.

However, the Turkish side aren’t in any hurry to sell the full-back, who only joined them last summer, and he remains under contract until 2030, meaning they are in a strong negotiating position.

A versatile player, the Galatasaray defender is also capable of playing at centre-back, which is an area Matthias Jaissle may need to strengthen, considering he has an aging backline.

Both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are now 34-years-old, and both defenders have just one year remaining on their contracts at St. James’ Park, whereas Singo is almost ten years younger at just 25.

Como scout Ben Mattinson has lauded the former AS Monaco man for his versatility too, saying: “Aerially dominant, freak athlete, so quick and an amazing overlap option, played as a flying RWB before and now is also a seriously composed and impressive RCB in a back 4.”